Chapter 401: Riding a Donkey to Find a Donkey

A long time passed, but the Bian Dao Shi remained very quiet.

It was as if everyone had been stunned, not knowing what to say.

Lin Sicheng could roughly understand, but he said nothing, merely signaling to a few Assistants.

The few understood in a second.

Fang Jin closed the computer, and Xiao Yuzhu organized the materials.

Li Zhen was the most meticulous, gathering all of Lin Sicheng's things: the music stand, the manuscript paper, including the pens he had used.

Glancing outside the door, Lin Sicheng beckoned, and Jing Zeyang walked in, looking dazed and wooden.

His gaze was dull, his expression stiff, like a walking corpse.

Was he scared out of his wits?

Lin Sicheng smiled, handing the materials Li Zhen had organized to him: "Brother Jing, it's done!"

Jing Zeyang was stunned for a long while: "No... is it finished just like that?"

Lin Sicheng was instead stumped by the question: "Are you not satisfied?"

In the morning, General Manager Lan instructed the Troupe Leader, only then signing off on the reports for regularization and job transfers; Jing Zeyang only submitted them to the Personnel Department in the afternoon, so what else could he be dissatisfied with?

He simply could not believe it.

Jing Zeyang came to his senses, speaking incoherently: "Cousin Lin, that's not what I meant... it's just too fast, too good... I didn't expect..." Don't say you didn't expect it, I didn't expect it either.

According to Lin Sicheng's original plan, even if he were copying, it should have taken at least a week or two. But once the state was upon him, it couldn't be stopped...

"It is indeed a bit fast, but there is definitely no problem with the program. At the very least, it is more than enough for the enterprise outreach performances..."

Lin Sicheng pointed to the Folder, "There are still some details I didn't have time to handle, such as personnel allocation, casting for supporting roles, costumes, hair accessories, makeup, stage blocking, etc., but I have written it all down here. If you feel dissatisfied, you can ask the teachers in the troupe to adjust it; there are still more than two months, which is completely sufficient..."

Jing Zeyang shook his head violently: what right did he have to say he was dissatisfied?

And it wasn't just him; ask everyone present: who would dare say they were dissatisfied?

The reason they were standing still and not speaking was that they were just like him: stunned, and even more so, frightened.

One must know, this was an ancient score lost for a thousand years, the "Liu Yao," which was as famous as "Nishang."

If someone had said before that they could translate, restore, or even arrange the music and choreography, and could put it on stage from start to finish in just a few days, a group of Experts would definitely have laughed their heads off.

Wasn't that a global joke?

But this time, it was something they had seen with their own eyes, witnessed with their own eyes. Come, let's interview them, does it look like a joke?

Asking themselves, no matter which angle they stood from, no matter which aspect they analyzed from, it felt perfect to the extreme.

The form, lines, and styling of the dance movements?

The beat, force, and rhythm of the actions?

The spirit, emotion, and charm of the performers?

The core, soul, and artistic conception of the work?

Including the application of body rhythm, movement standards, the coordination of rhythm and music, emotional expression and thematic presentation, technique and stage presence, everything was impeccable.

The key was, from start to finish, it only took a few short days?

It felt like using the word "miracle" was already insufficient to describe it.

Several Experts stared at Lin Sicheng, their expressions complex and inexplicable.

Lin Sicheng knew what they were thinking, and even more so, he knew that these few were now absolutely curious to the point of wanting to dissect him to take a look. But no explanation was needed.

How did that saying go?

There are Great Confucians to debate the scriptures for me...

While thinking to himself, the few Assistants finished packing up, and Lin Sicheng greeted them one by one.

He didn't say he was leaving, but everyone knew that Lin Sicheng was going to leave.

Li Jingting looked hesitant, wanting to speak but stopping. Xiao Yinan twitched his lips, undecided.

It was very sudden, so sudden that it was hard for people to accept.

In truth, Lin Sicheng's speed was too fast, so fast that it was unbelievable. Even now, they felt like they were dreaming.

They were ten thousand times reluctant in their hearts, wishing they could pin Lin Sicheng down here, but racking their brains and exhausting their thoughts, they couldn't find a suitable reason. Because from beginning to end, Lin Sicheng's goal was only to choreograph a classical dance for Jing Zeyang that could be used for enterprise outreach performances, ensuring Jing Zeyang wouldn't be fired. Both sides had always agreed on this; Lin Sicheng not only did it, but even fulfilled the promise by exceeding expectations hundreds of times over.

Although some details remained to be handled, Lin Sicheng had written a complete design plan; with so many choreographers and so many art designers in the song and dance troupe, could they not even copy it?

They were just unwilling to let go.

Because this set of dance movements and this piece of music were only deductive re-creations, still a hundred thousand miles away from translating and restoring "Liu Yao," but they believed that with Lin Sicheng's ability, he could completely restore the full "Liu Yao" score.

To put it on a small scale: let a song of the ages reappear in the world, let modern people feel the highest artistic achievement of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.

To put it on a large scale: fill in historical gaps, revitalize historical cognition. Decipher cultural codes, inherit and continue the Chinese cultural lineage, and enhance national identity and cohesion.

And even, show the world the open and inclusive nature of Chinese culture since ancient times, promoting exchanges with world civilization.

Reaching this step, it was no longer a question of what awards to win or what honors to receive, but rising to a height that countless scholars and Experts dreamed of: winning glory for the country and creating a cultural calling card exclusive to oneself.

Just watching and witnessing was enough to make them unable to control themselves. What kind of mentality did Lin Sicheng have to dare to research halfway and then just drop it and run?

After hesitating for a long time, Li Jingting really couldn't hold back, and he didn't beat around the bush, directly asking: "Little Lin, what about the rest, what should we do?" Lin Sicheng smiled: "It must be restored, but it needs time: I have to prepare, check materials, and conduct research..."

"Then continue!" Li Jingting looked puzzled, "No matter what difficulties or requirements you have, we will satisfy them all: personnel, team, venue, equipment..."

Xiao Yinan's eyes lit up slightly, nodding forcefully: before coming here, General Manager Lan had also given these instructions...

Lin Sicheng paused: "Professor Li, my home is in Xijing. Besides, I am still a student!"

Li Jingting was stunned, his face full of disbelief, as if to say: Lin Sicheng, you still have the mood to study?

With just this Folder in your hand, as long as you wanted, in no more than a month, the Oriental Group could find a way to settle you down in Beijing. Including work, household registration, and housing, all of which would be no problem at all.

As for studying, if you can't study at Beijing Dance Academy, can't you study at the Central Conservatory of Music or the China Conservatory of Music? Which one doesn't have a better future than Archaeology or Artifact Research?

If that really doesn't work, it's not like you can't get into Beijing University?

Lin Sicheng, however, shook his head.

Having been out for so long, he had almost lost his life; if he didn't return now, Deputy Director Lin, Section Chief Lin, and Teacher Jiang would dare to storm all the way to Beijing.

Furthermore, the timing wasn't right: you can't get fat from a single mouthful.

If it takes three steamed buns to get full, you can't say the third bun is the most important and the first two were useless, right?

Whether it is expanding academic influence or enhancing professional achievements, it all requires time, and even more so, it requires accumulation. It's just like a chemical experiment; you have to give it enough reaction time, and every single process is indispensable...

"I definitely won't give up halfway, and I will certainly continue the Artifact Research. But I've been out for too long, so I must go home first. Besides, the school needs to be notified, and even more so, coordination is required..."

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment, "Of course, it won't be too long. At the same time, once the program is performed, we can also observe the feedback from all sides..."

Li Jingting was stunned for a moment, then sighed.

As the saying goes: a good woman doesn't worry about marriage, good food doesn't fear being late, and impatience won't get you hot tofu.

He just hadn't expected that at Lin Sicheng's age, he could actually be so composed.

Amidst his reflections, Lin Sicheng stretched out his hand to shake his first, then Xiao Yinan's: "Thank you, Professor Li, and thank you, Editor-in-Chief Xiao. Please convey my thanks to Dean Yan and Editor-in-Chief Lan on my behalf. Finally, regarding the program, I leave it to you..."

It seems he is determined to leave?

The two felt exceptionally regretful, yet they were helpless.

Of course, only temporarily.

Lin Sicheng didn't state it explicitly, but they could understand: since there is a beginning, there must be an end; since there is already a good start, there will certainly be a perfect result.

The next time he comes, it will certainly be to cooperate with them...

The two nodded vigorously and tried their best to persuade him to stay, saying they absolutely had to have a meal together.

Not to mention anything else, after being busy for so many days, Yan Zhidong and Lan Ling hadn't even met Lin Sicheng, which was truly a bit disrespectful.

But it wasn't their fault: who could have imagined that something they might not achieve in several years, Lin Sicheng had accomplished in just a few days?

Even more, the dance was choreographed only yesterday, and in just one day, Lin Sicheng had composed the music.

It was just like hand-crafting an Atomic Bomb in a single day...

Lin Sicheng, however, shook his head with a smile, saying next time.

It wasn't that he was being reserved, and certainly not that he was being disrespectful, but there was no way to have this meal today. As soon as they sat at the table, it would 100% turn into a seminar on classical music and dance.

The more you say, the more you err, so it was better not to go at all.

After finding an excuse to explain, he went to greet the two actors and several folk musicians one by one.

It wasn't until he finished shaking hands with Lin Sicheng that Zhao Guanghua realized: Lin Sicheng was leaving?

In a daze, the person had already reached the door, and he suddenly gave a start: "Little Lin... oh no, Teacher Lin, wait a moment..."

Lin Sicheng stopped his steps and turned back around: "Teacher Zhao, you say!"

Zhao Guanghua was stunned, feeling rather lost instead: what should he say?

Five-String Pipa, Thirteen-string Zheng?

Dunhuang ancient scores, or "Liu Yao"?

Or perhaps this set of dance moves, or even this piece of music?

His head full of questions and his belly full of words were twisted into a huge, tangled mess. Not to mention that he hadn't sorted it out himself, even if he had, he feared he couldn't finish asking in a day and a night...

After being stunned for a long time, he sighed and pointed to the full score on the music stand: "Teacher Lin, this piece of music doesn't have a name yet!"

It was indeed an oversight.

At least for now, it couldn't be called "Liu Yao" directly!

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "Hua Shiba!"

Zhao Guanghua was taken aback: this name, why is it so strange?

It feels... a bit familiar too?

Thinking he had already guessed it, Lin Sicheng smiled: "Teacher Zhao, it is truly Hua Shiba; of course, it is only a part of it."

Zhao Guanghua looked as if he were stunned, yet his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

The others were confused: it's just a name, what is true or false about it?

And he even specifically emphasized: it's only a part of it?

While pondering, Lin Sicheng nodded and turned around.

A crowd of people followed behind him, bustling all the way to the elevator entrance.

They originally wanted to see him off further down, but were firmly stopped by Lin Sicheng: they would meet again after the New Year at the latest, so there was no need to act like it was a life-and-death parting. The crowd then desisted.

Watching the elevator descend, Xiao Yinan sighed. When she turned around, she couldn't help but be startled.

One by one, their expressions were much the same: revealing some regret, and some pity.

Who doesn't want to make a name for themselves and achieve success?

Even just basking in a bit of the reflected glory would be enough to make them proud for a long time...

Reflecting secretly, she inadvertently caught Li Jingting's eye, and the two nodded slightly.

There was no need to discuss it; they both understood the other's meaning: Lin Sicheng leaving so suddenly and so resolutely, and even being unwilling to meet with Yan Zhidong and Lan Ling too early, was actually leaving them plenty of room to maneuver.

How to cooperate later, what demands each side should advocate, who should be responsible for which part, what assistance can be provided... and so on and so forth, must certainly be discussed in advance.

And at the latest, before Lin Sicheng comes to Beijing next time, a plan must be decided upon.

It is just like Lin Sicheng's cooperation with the Cultural Relics Research Institute: I only handle the Artifact Research, I am only responsible for providing the results, and for the rest, you handle it yourselves.

Therefore, Dean Yan and Editor-in-Chief Lan must certainly meet.

Subconsciously, the two took out their phones, preparing to call Yan Zhidong and Lan Ling.

Lin Sicheng not wanting to meet too early is one thing, but whether the leadership attaches importance to it is another.

Even if they couldn't see him off, they at least had to express their gratitude over the phone.

This is the bare minimum of respect.

It couldn't be explained in a word or two, so they certainly couldn't make the call here; the two prepared to find a quiet place.

But before they could turn around, Zhao Guanghua called out to stop them.

The old musician's brows were tightly locked, his eyes full of suspicion, yet also revealing a few traces of disbelief.

"Editor-in-Chief Xiao, Professor Li, Lin Sicheng said that piece of music is called Flower Eighteen?"

The two were stunned for a moment: what about Flower Eighteen?

It was just a name...

Seeing the confused looks on their faces, Zhao Guanghua let out a breath: "Do you all feel that it sounds a bit familiar?"

It did indeed sound a bit familiar, and it wasn't just Zhao Guanghua who felt it was familiar; this included Li Jingting, Xiao Yinan, Ren Zhuo, Wan Fengyun, and even several Editors-in-Chief.

But similar classical music titles and ci-poetry tune names were everywhere: Wuzuo Zhi, Like Twelve Commands, Seven-Treasure Flower, A Cluster of Flowers, Three Terraces Spring, and so on and so forth.

Therefore, no one had paid much attention to it.

Furthermore, what Lin Sicheng had done was too incredible, and he had left too suddenly; their minds were completely filled with: what to do about the unfinished Six-Yao, and what to do about that unverified table of musical notation comparisons?

They had absolutely no time to think about this.

Let alone "Flower Eighteen," even if Lin Sicheng had said it was "Shit Eighteen," no one would have been able to spare the attention...

Seeing that everyone was clueless and looked somewhat bewildered, Zhao Guanghua let out a "Ha": A bunch of blind people riding a donkey while looking for a donkey? You were all just thinking about the Six-Yao, and as a result, he threw the real "Six-Yao" in your faces, and you actually didn't recognize it?

He sighed: "Flower Eighteen is the Six-Yao, and it is the core... Therefore, that piece of music just now was not composed by Lin Sicheng, but was translated by him in its original, authentic form..."

The seven or eight people were all stunned in unison: Teacher Zhao, do you know what "original, authentic form" means?

One hundred percent, complete and intact.

The so-called "deductive restoration" or "creation approaching the original appearance" aren't even fit to carry its shoes...